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I read a lot of “case studies” written by technicians online and in magazines. Rarely do I see case studies written by a shop owner who works at the front counter. Here is a story of how high-quality parts can make the customer, technician and me happy.

8:12 am

According to the technician, the test drive revealed something interesting. The ratcheting noise only occurred in 2WD and changed when 4WD was engaged. However, a grinding noise remained no matter what mode was engaged and depended on the vehicle’s speed. Back at the shop, the visual inspection revealed nothing unusual. From previous experience, we knew that the ratcheting noise could be a symptom of an issue with the Ford Integrated Wheel End or IWE.

The system applies vacuum to the actuator when in 2WD. It shuts off the vacuum when in 4WD to engage the hub and axle. This is the reverse of how most locking hubs operate. If there were a vacuum issue, it typically would cause noise from both wheels. But, the noise was coming from only the right front.

The Ford IWE 4WD system does something no other truck can perform. The system not only disengages the hub, but also the axle from the hub. This improved the fuel mileage when the truck is in 2WD. To do this, the IWE actuator moves a collar over a sprocket mounted to the hub unit.

8:30 am

We decided to make sure there was vacuum at the wheel with the engine running. The vacuum gauge revealed there was vacuum being delivered to the IWE actuator. The unit would not hold a vacuum when a vacuum was applied to the actuator using a hand-held pump. We now confirm the IWE actuator at the wheel is malfunctioning. With the vehicle running on a lift, it was easy to tell that the passenger side bearing was making noise compared to the driver’s side. The technician wrote his diagnosis and recommended replacing the actuator and hub unit.

9:15 am

Now, it is time to write the estimate and find the parts. Looking at my suppliers, I can see many options for the wheel hub. Some shops will sort the results by price or delivery time. But I know these are secondary considerations for my customer, who wants the truck to operate with the least possible downtime.

The unit we selected was BCA’s  WE61945 from our local WD. It was not the least expensive nor the one with the fastest delivery, but I know the BCA unit has the highest quality that meets or exceeds the original unit. The IWE actuator was also sourced from the same WD.

9:15 am

Now, it is time to write the estimate and find the parts. Looking at my suppliers, I can see many options for the wheel hub. Some shops will sort the results by price or delivery time. But I know these are secondary considerations for my customer, who wants the truck to operate with the least possible downtime. The unit we selected was BCA’s WE61945 from our local WD. It was not the least expensive nor the one with the fastest delivery, but I know the BCA unit has the highest quality that meets or exceeds the original unit. The IWE actuator was also sourced from the same WD.

9:30 am

We contacted the customer with the estimate for replacing the hub unit and IWE actuator. He texted us back with the two-word response, “Do it.”

12:30 pm

When the parts arrived, we examined the hub unit from BCA. We have ordered other brands of hub units and have had problems. We first noticed that the wheel speed sensor wiring harness was the same length as the original and had the correct connector. We have found that these harnesses can be too long or short on economy units. Many companies will try to go to a length that might fit multiple years or applications.

The other thing we noticed was the sprocket that engages with the axle. The BCA unit uses the same manufacturing processes as the original unit, which secures the cog to the hub unit. The process is called orbital forming, which attaches the cog to the unit. It rolls the lip of the inner race with extreme force to secure the cog to the hub unit. It also sets the pre-load of the tapered roller bearings.

Some manufacturers use alternative processes to secure the cog and set the preload. But, some of these methods do not create a strong bond.

The other issue we have found with IWE units can be the roller bearings inside the axle bore. These allow the axle and hub to move independently. While they don’t support the vehicle’s weight, they keep the axle aligned so 4WD engages effortlessly. Low-quality hub units might develop play that can damage the IWE actuator. Which is what I suspected happened to this truck.

1:04 pm

We started the job once we received the parts, and the technician was free. I knew I had the truck for only a few more hours, so I was dismayed when I saw the technician on his phone in the middle of the job. When I stopped by the bay, the technician wanted to show me something on their phone. This never ends well. I was stunned to see this

All he had to do was scan a QR code included inside the box. I guess this means one less trip to the information station to look up the torque specifications. With the IWE, the torque specifications are critical. This is especially true for the bolt that secures the axle to the flange. This small bolt has a torque specification of only (30 ft/lbs).

2:30 pm

At our shop, the front counter staff must perform a test drive as part of the quality control process. I took the truck for the test drive. The ratcheting and grinding were gone, and the truck shifted into 4WD effortlessly.

4:05 pm

The customer came to pick up the truck and was satisfied. He asked if we could handle a wheel bearing and ball joints on his F-250 next.

This Article is Sponsored By: BCA Bearings by NTN

In this episode of Shop Owner Solutions, Doug Kaufman, editor of Shop Owner Magazine, and Miguel Cornejo, product manager for TrakMotive, discuss the importance and function of driveshafts in vehicles.

“Driveshafts are responsible for transferring torque from the engine to the wheels, allowing the vehicle to move,” explains Cornejo. “They are precision-balanced and weighted to minimize vibration and noise. Of course, the configuration of driveshafts varies depending on the type of vehicle.”

The hosts also highlight the different types of driveshafts and the engineering that goes into their design. They discuss common issues that can occur with driveshafts, such as U joint problems and alignment issues. Diagnostic steps for identifying driveshaft issues are also mentioned, including clunking sounds and vibrations during acceleration.

This episode of Shop Owner Solutions is sponsored by TrakMotive, a leading global manufacturer of new CV axles, ATV and UTV CV axles, driveshafts and window regulators for automotive and light duty truck applications with a continued focus on meeting or exceeding OE specifications on every product.

For more information, visit trakmotive.com.

What does it take to set up a shop for the vehicles of today and tomorrow? I was recently asked this question by a shop owner, but like many questions about the future of our industry, it’s kind of a loaded question, as there are so many particulars to discuss that make the answer very long. 

Business and technology changes are shaping our industry for some big transformations in how we operate. Are you thinking ahead for your shop?

What does a shop owner need to be thinking about to prepare for the future? Let’s look at a few things he or she will need to process. Keep in mind that these are not the only considerations; they’re just a few relating to how to set up your shop for personnel, workflow and storage. 

Attracting Top Talent

First impressions are made in seconds and take a lifetime to change. Attracting customers has always been a concern for every shop, but today’s work environment and the shortage of technicians requires shops to also consider attracting the right people to work on their customers’ vehicles. 

Look at your shop and ask yourself: What is the first impression your shop makes to a potential technician? Does your shop look organized? Is the equipment cared for? Do technicians have enough room to work? Is there a parts storage area and management system or process? Does your shop have capabilities or a plan for new vehicle electronics or battery-electric vehicles (BEVs)? Technicians are becoming savvier about choosing a shop to work at and are weighing more factors than they did in the past. 

Over the years, I’ve asked the question, “What do you look for in choosing a shop?” to many technicians who I’ve worked with and also newcomers, and I’ve gotten some interesting answers. 

Today, good technicians know they have a choice of whatever shop to work at that they wish. The shops that are most appealing are those that have a clean working environment, updated and well-kept equipment, comfortable workspaces and room to move – these things are as important to techs as pay and benefits. 

Don’t get me wrong – techs want to turn their hours and want shops that have enough work to make those hours. But they’re very aware of the hi-tech vehicles that need to be repaired in the future. Is your shop set up to not only work on those vehicles but also attract the talent to do the work? 

Rethinking Shop Layout

We’re no longer working on cars and trucks; we’re repairing computers on wheels. All automakers will introduce more and more new electronic systems every year. As a result, the vehicles shops are repairing today and will repair in the future will require more space to complete or validate repairs with calibrations. 

More shops are rethinking their layouts or changing the workspaces that they currently have. It’s no longer a nuisance to have to find level space in the shop to complete a calibration on a vehicle; now, it’s becoming a necessity. 

Having enough level working space for technicians doing calibrations is a difficult challenge in shops where real estate is at a premium. I’ve seen many shops invest in fixing and leveling floors in workspaces to accommodate calibrations. I’ve also seen shops with limited space start looking upward to find more space, as spreading out is limited or not an option. Mezzanines and lofts are becoming more of the norm for storing parts and items that are not needed every day. Storage containers in parking lots are also becoming a solution to storing parts, equipment and BEV batteries. 

Between advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and headlights, as well as alignment verification, a level datum plane or floor is a critical piece, too. Vehicle manufacturers have guidelines for servicing their vehicles, and most parking lots do not meet the specifications. Yes, it is possible to make a level surface in a parking lot, but wind and sun glare as well as shadows and background clutter for cameras and radars now become a factor for calibrations. Where is your space, and have you validated that it’s level? Planning now (if you haven’t already) would be the most proactive thing you can do.

Internet

An absolutely critical piece to laying out your shop and plans for the electronic future is having a good internet connection in every space and corner of your shop and where work is performed. This is a piece that is often overlooked and, as a result, leads to a lot of frustration for technicians. 

Do not underestimate the internet speed needed to repair vehicles today and tomorrow; scan tools will need very fast and secure connections to complete updates, diagnostics and programming of components. Internet speed and connectivity can be the difference between success and failure in programming a vehicle.  

Think through not just the space and internet connection, but electronic equipment such as scan tools and targets. Do aftermarket systems cover the vehicle you’ll be repairing? Do you need an OE solution? Training must also be factored in. Do you have the volume for a dedicated technician, or is the volume increasing to the point where you need to plan for a dedicated spot or technician now? With 89% of the vehicles being manufactured today equipped with some form of ADAS, rethinking your electronics layout or plan might be in order.   

BEVs

BEVs are here and more are coming. This is not the same as hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) planning. Yes, the safety and precautions are similar, but there are some major differences. For example, the batteries are not the small, compact versions we’ve seen in the past. 

There are literally hundreds of training courses and materials out there for all to research. I encourage you to do your research and training as it will make a difference in how you lay out your shop to repair these vehicles. 

There are safety needs regarding vehicle combustion issues as well as the need for hoists, not only for the vehicle but for battery removal. Also, large, strong tables are required to store and service the batteries. The batteries being stored will take up as much space as the vehicle being repaired. All these factors must be considered when repairing a BEV – and the fact that you may have more than one at a time.  

When thinking about how to lay out the workflow and process for BEV vehicles, consider that the batteries are large and can weigh hundreds or thousands of pounds, depending on the manufacturer. Make no mistake about the weight specifications: The table and the wheels must be able to hold securely for transportation and storage. Floors with drains and other obstacles in the way of heavy objects being rolled on wheels will put tremendous stress on points during motion. Many shops build their own tables and think of only when the battery is stationary. Imagine rolling 1,500 pounds across your floor and hitting the drain! Will the legs and wheels hold up to that stress? Will your drain? Having a clear lane from where the vehicle is being repaired to where the battery will be stored is a consideration to take into your shop’s plan. 

Also note: if you plan to build your own table, consider that manufacturers recommend certain tables with access points to service the batteries when damaged or for procedures on cooling systems for the battery packs. Building your own table may force you to adjust or shift the battery position for a procedure that may put a technician at risk from the weight of the battery, as well as voltage if the battery gets damaged. Technician safety should always be your top priority. Just making do may have a cause and effect we all wish to avoid. Also, think about where you’ll store the tables when they’re not in use. 

Imagine where you’ll be storing this battery that is slightly smaller than the size of the car you’re repairing. How will you keep it dry and safe? By using the word safe, I also mean safe for your technicians, too, as far as avoiding setting things on top of it or possibly hitting or damaging a component they should not be touching. There is always somebody who will have to test the sign that says, “Do not touch.” Having a dedicated storage spot for not just one but multiple batteries may need to be planned for in the very near future. 

Researching the requirements of the vehicle you’ll be servicing is important to your shop’s future. You may not need to plan for every year, make and model, but look at what you’ll need for much of the work that you’ll do. 

The repair shop of the past will need to change and adapt with the future. Fair warning – if you haven’t thought about how your shop layout will work for the future … you’re already late!

Pneumatic Speciality Tools are also known as Speciality Air Tools, in which it consists of tools based on its working functionality and working applications, both in Automotive and Industrial sectors. Some of the pneumatic specialty tools are Oil Evacuations system, Cooling System pressure tester, Radiator check and Fill system, Vacuum Brake Bleeder.

In this part, we are going to see about Vacuum Brake Bleeder and Radiator Check and Fill system. Both has the very simple system and operations, and it is very easy and handy to operate, and they can be mostly used in the Automotive sectors.

VACUUM BRAKE BLEEDER

The Brake System is the one of the most important and critical part in all the types of vehicles, as the system has the major responsibility of the people safety on roads. So, the maintenance part for the brake system should be done as per the due date based on that process. This is where the Speciality Air Tools plays a major role in braking system maintenance. In this, one critical maintenance task in which everyone miss is Brake bleeding process. This process involves in removing the air bubbles and contaminants from the brake fluid, in which it helps to stop the car, whenever it needs to be. This process leads to the optimal braking performance.

Brake Bleeding is the process of removing the trapped air bubbles and the other contaminants from the braking system of the vehicle. The trapped air bubbles are created during any service or fluid replacement process, and it can accommodate over time, because the brake fluid absorbs moisture and wears soon. Hydraulic pressure and the brake function are maintained by brake bleeding process with the help of Vacuum Brake Bleeder Kit.

BENEFITS OF BRAKE BLEEDING